Nas has stunned the world by renaming his controversially-titled record a month or so before its release.

Out through Universal/Island/Def Jam on the 1st of July (US), the new album will now be known as either Untitled or simply Nas rather than the ever-so-slightly more inflammatory Nigger.

The rapper came out only five days ago to eulogise on the previous title, and he’s understandably defensive about the late change, saying: “It’s important to me that this album gets to the fans. It's been a long time coming.

“I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. It's that important. The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it.”